How Does a Food Dehydrator Work?

How Does a Food Dehydrator Work?

Written by: Caleb Aguilera & the COSORI Chefs and Staff

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Time to read 4 min

Humanity has always tried to find the best method to preserve our food. In this age-old quest, we've developed a multitude of food preservation methods, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. After all our searching, we’ve finally found (in our opinion) the simplest and most effective method: a food dehydrator. But have you ever stopped to wonder how this humble appliance works its magic?


In this blog, we delve into the inner workings of the food dehydrator, uncovering the science behind its food-preserving powers.

The Basics


couple using a food dehydrator in kitchen


We can all relate to those dreaded moments when we open our fridge and immediately smell something that has gone past its expiration date. Frustration inevitably follows as we throw out the old food and try to make new meal plans. With food dehydration, we can extend the shelf life of our food and avoid these situations.


Though it might seem like magic at times, the concept behind food dehydration is simple. The mold and bacteria that grow on food need water to grow. By adding hot air to your food to remove all the moisture and water content, the dehydrating process helps extend its shelf life and reduce the risk of food poisoning from bacteria and harmful microorganisms. It's the oldest method of preserving food by far, outdating other methods such as canning and freezing.

The Components


food dehydrator components


Every food dehydrator needs its vital components to get the job done. Things like drying trays, a heating element, a fan, and vents all work together to efficiently dehydrate your food and help with shelf-life extension.


Drying Trays: The trays are where you place your food for the drying process. Multiple trays let you dehydrate more food. For example, our Premium 10-Tray Food Dehydrator offers 10 drying trays, making it perfect for meal prepping for a long trip or making snacks for a party.


Heating Element: This is where the hot air comes from. It creates a similar effect to sun drying by heating up the food dehydrator, only it’s much faster and more efficient.


Fan: The fan is crucial because it creates a hot air flow that dries the food and carries away moisture.


Vents: The vents are important because they allow hot air and moisture to escape, so your food can dry faster.

Heat & Airflow


food dehydrator fan and motor


When it comes to properly dehydrating your food, heat distribution and airflow are key. They work in tandem to accelerate moisture removal without damaging your food or removing important nutrients. This allows dehydrated food to remain nutritious and delicious.


Our food dehydrators also use a rear mounted fan to create airflow that spreads throughout every corner of the dehydrator to evenly cook your food. That way, you don’t have to rotate your food to get even cooking. The airflow also helps the dehydrating process by carrying moisture out of the dehydrator through the vents.

Let’s Get Cooking


apple slices in a food dehydrator


To get started, all you have to do is load your food onto the drying trays. Depending on what you’re cooking, you may need to slice your food into pieces for more effective dehydrating. Our included drying trays can handle anything from meat to herbs. If you’re dehydrating fruit, take a look at our Fruit Roll Sheets.


Once the trays are loaded, you’re ready to turn on the food dehydrator. Every recipe is different but setting your dehydrator to 140°F is a good place to start. Once the cook time and temperature are set, you can place the drying trays into the dehydrator to get cooking. The cook time can take about 4–8 hours, so you’ll want to plan ahead to make sure your food is ready on time.


After your food is done dehydrating, you’ll want to let it cool to room temperature. Now it’s ready to eat!

Benefits & Applications


There are so many advantages to dehydrating your food, it’s hard to keep count! One convenient benefit is a longer shelf life. Dehydrated food can last several years. The longer shelf life can help you save money and precious storage space. You can also enjoy fruits and vegetables even when they’re out of season.

Dehydrating food can help preserve and concentrate nutrients and it also helps concentrate fiber content, making for a quick and healthy snack on the go.


dehydrated strawberries, bananas, and blueberries


The culinary possibilities of dehydrated food are endless. For example, you can make homemade jerky by dehydrating beef, chicken, fish, turkey, or pork. Maybe you’re more of a fruit fan. Almost any fruit can be dehydrated, such as apples, bananas, mangoes, grapes, and more. Save even more money by dehydrating herbs to make your own spices for cooking. Basil, dill, rosemary, oregano, thyme, sage, mint, and lavender can all be dehydrated and turned into seasoning.


Dehydrated food makes delicious snacks, but it also adds convenience to meal prepping and everyday cooking. Dehydrated foods rehydrate easily, so you can add dehydrated meat, fruit, or veggies to any soup, salad, or smoothie.


In the realm of food preservation, the food dehydrator reigns supreme as a simple yet powerful tool. By harnessing the forces of heat and airflow, it transforms ordinary ingredients into shelf-stable delights that tantalize taste buds from the first bite.


Understanding how a food dehydrator works not only deepens our appreciation for this indispensable appliance but also empowers us to explore new culinary horizons with confidence. So, the next time you reach for a batch of homemade dried mango or savory kale chips, remember the fascinating process unfolding within your trusty dehydrator.